When shopping for Clinique products, it's always best to look online first, because those women could sell you expensive air and you would leave with a smile on your face.

Clinique on a whole is a nice brand to use, generally as gentle as simple, but more effective (and in turn, more expensive). But if you are serious about blemishes and feel like you've tried everything, Clinique's three step anti blemish program (of which this is number two) isn't a bad idea.

Personally I have suffered from blemishes since I left school and have tried everything to the point of feeling hopeless. When I first went into my local Clinique branch (for help) they assigned me to their first three step range. The range was lovely to use but did nothing to get rid of my spots, so I went back in to exchange them for the anti blemish range.

The Clarifying lotion I'm reviewing today is the second step in the program, but can be used to some degree of success if you substitute the other two steps, they are after all a basic notion of wash, exfoliate and moisturize. The Clarifying lotion is the exfoliation stage, but rather than a 'scrub' as is often it is a lotion that takes away the top layer of dead skin cells. For sensitive skin this CAN be ideal as it is a gentle yet effective alternative to the scrubs.

The first thing I would tell you was that just because you have spots does not mean this is the product for you, you need to look at your skin type; the reason you become spot prone. If you suffer from dry, sensitive skin your skin will be trying to compensate with oil, i.e spots. So you should be using the first or second step clarifying lotion as you want to exfoliate but not dry out further. If you have an oily skin type you will need to be using the third version or the anti blemish version as these are stronger and will help to strip the oils that are causing your pores to block. If you go into your local Clinique they can help to determine your skin type and if they do get it wrong (as with me) you can exchange them for more appropriate products (I even took in empty bottles, so do not hesitate, you have been miss sold products after all).

The lotion itself has the texture and density of water, simply dab onto some cotton wool and sweep across the face. Although it is tempting to rub it into your skin, assuming the more of a good thing idea, you must not. This is an exfoliant and will dry you out if not used properly. DO NOT forget to shake the bottle vigorously as there is a white liquid at the bottom of the bottle that needs to be mixed with the majority. When you first use the lotion you may feel a slight tingle, but this will pass and after a long day of subjecting your skin to outside environments you will feel fresh and rejuvenated. If you use it in the morning it will set you up for a fresh faced day and if you use it again before bed it will help to wind down and relax. It is scentless so you aren't left with a chemical after smell.

As for the blemishes, this wasn't enough for me, I needed to combine with PanOxyl cream (which I have also reviewed) to keep my spots at bay. But as exfoliation is essential, this lotion plays a big part in my routine and I've no doubt those with less aggressive skin will have even better results.

If you are a fake tan fan this is a great product to use before as it exfoliates and takes off any traces of dirt you might have and will set you up for an even tan. Also if you have an undesired tan stain somewhere on your body you can use the lotion to help take it of faster, for this you will need to rub. Obviously the skin on your leg has more resistance than your face and a following of moisturizer will prevent any possible dryness that could occur.

If you suffer from allergy's this is also a wise product to use, as with all Cliniques products the lotion is put through a rigorous allergy test, so that should put your mind at ease.

The price varies at different times of the year, it is definitely a wise idea to wait for Debenhams to reduce it by ten percent as this happens a lot. At around fifteen pounds the price is steep, but my bottles last me beyond three months, where as a scrub of five pounds can last you three weeks, so the price does pay off in the end, whilst you receive a Clinique quality product.

So to sum up, a good product. Didn't cure my stubborn blemishes, but helped alot.